We're Not Chicken About Getting behind Our Students

This annual Conference was, once again, a blur of activity, filled with good food, fun, networking, job prospects, and collegial conversion. Kudos to everyone involved in planning and participating. Students I spoke with were hopeful about their job prospects, several of them scoring invitations to continue their discussions with representatives. I’ve come to know and appreciate many of the exhibitors, who truly represent opportunities for our students.

Much as I enjoy them all, I have to give a round of keypad applause to the Foster Farms representatives, not only for a new organic line of chickens sold through our local Costco, but also for their marketing approach. In fact, I would like to order a small version of this sign for personal use. If this is the Year of Fiery Thinking, I’d better get cooking (or in the spirit of eggs, cracking) with some ideas of my own.

Behind Good People Resounds the Voice of Experience: A Mother and Mentor

Many of you might have already seen this article written about Peter Straus’ mother, Kathleen Straus, shown here with granddaughter Naomi. After I read it, I found myself going back to it a few times thinking, “I so wish she were here in Chico to tell us about her experiences.” She and her husband, a retired federal judge, would be a panel presentation in themselves, considering their vast experiences and contributions to the world. Here’s an excerpt from the article:

When Kathleen Straus retired in December at the end of her three eight-year terms on the Michigan Board of Education, she was one of the longest-serving board members and well-respected for her indomitable commitment to public education. Her colleagues recognized her expertise and leadership by electing her board president six times.

Straus’ work for both government and nonprofits spans the eras from school busing and desegregation to today’s focus on charter schools and protection of {all} students’ rights. Beginning as a classroom teacher and later PTA president, through both volunteer and professional positions, she perfected the skills necessary to get people to work together.

Thanks to Peter for permission to share his mother’s story with the College of Business. What a courageous and rare person she is.

Behind the Department of Management Are Special People

Who Support Us

A Research Project: Find out more about three wonderful people who support the Department of Management

Method: A list of numbered questions and a request to answer one or more, as able. Leave list, rush out the door to prepare for class and hope for best.

Expectations: Low, because who has time for this?

Results: Exceeded expectations by far and were a delight to review.

Notes: I did not edit these responses. They were perfect as is.

Heather, Administrative Support Coordinator, Management Department

What would you be doing if you weren’t at your current job?

If I wasn’t at my current job I would be homesteading. I would grow my own food and fibers to make wonderful brightly colored life.

If you were going to start a business from scratch what would it be?

If I were going to start a business it would be called the Whiskey Woolery and it would be a bookstore bar with warm solid furniture in little nooks like a library. It would be a place where conversations over bourbon turned into novels and revolutions.

What one memory do you treasure most?

I have too many treasured memories to value one above all others, but the first one that came to mind is of walking in the woods of Plumas National Forest with my Grandpa Lee on sunny afternoons, after pre-school. He would whistle while we walked, and he would quiz me on the names of trees and flowers.

How would you describe yourself as a child?

I was a tiny quiet girl with big eyes…perfect for observing the world.

How do you recharge?

I recharge by hiking in pretty places in the woods where there are many trees and flowers and no other people.

Madi, Management Department Student Assistant

What were you like as a child?

I was actually a tomboy as a child, always copying and following around my older brother.

How do you recharge?

I recharge by laying on my couch with my cat Macaroon, watching Netflix.

When are you happiest?

I’m happiest when I’m at the beach.

If you were going to start a business from scratch what would it be?

I would start an independent makeup company. All the products would be organic/cruelty free while still being high quality.

What one memory do you treasure most?

My favorite memory is of my brother and me baking cookies with my grandma as young kids, dancing and singing along to 50’s music.

What do you admire most in people?

I admire kindness in others.

What would you like to do during the course of your life?

Visit every country in the world.

What’s a good joke?

There’s two muffins in an oven. One muffin says “Man it’s hot in here.” The other muffin screams “AHH a talking muffin!” (My 5 year old cousin loves that one)

What’s your idea of a perfect day?

A perfect day for me would be wandering around Paris aimlessly, spending most of my day eating macaroons and drinking coffee in front of the Eiffel Tower. Sside note: I have done this, and it was the best day ever.)

Do you speak another language?

I can speak a little French. Most of what I know is regarding food!

Tess, Management Department Administrative Support Assistant

Do you have a favorite teacher from your past?

I have been very lucky to have had many amazing teachers, but the first one that came to my mind was Mrs. Jordan, my 4th grade teacher. She was so loving and kind and made every student feel that they were very special. She loved us so much, she asked to move up with us and be our teacher again in 5th grade! I moved away midway through my 5th grade school year. She had a party for me and gave me a pink address book. All of the students had written their address in it. She also included her address, and I corresponded with her for several years until she died from cancer. I still marvel that she took the time to continue our friendship and answer every letter.

What is your favorite sport to watch?

I don’t think it would surprise anyone to know that I’m not a big sports fan, but my husband, Wes, is a huge soccer fan. He is a soccer referee and serves on the Board for Chico Youth Soccer League, and he trains the other referees. He kept the statistics for the Chico Rooks when they were here, and they gave him a plaque for his volunteer service. So, I see almost every CSUC soccer game and lots of other soccer games (high school games because many of the players are “his” Chico Youth Soccer League referees and he wants to support them, not to mention countless TV soccer games. Don’t even get me started on the World Cup!) Yesterday as I went for a walk around campus on my lunch break, a group of young men came jogging past. I immediately recognized the CSUC soccer team! Wait till I tell Wes!

What is the best perk that you have had at a job?

I lived in the Bay Area and worked as a legal secretary during the week, but on the weekends, I drove a tram at the Concord Pavilion. Once the last tram run was over, I got to sit at the top of a hill at the tram gate and watch every performance. It was magical. Most of my friends worked in the concessions stands and didn’t get to see any of the shows, but I got to see every show from beginning to end. I loved it because I saw a lot of shows that I would never have seen otherwise and gained an appreciation for all kinds of music and entertainment.

If you had one free hour each day, how would you use it?

This one was easy. READ!

Thank you Heather, Madi, and Tess, for sharing your thoughts with us. We appreciate getting to know each of you, and are grateful for all you do on our behalf.

If there are willing volunteers for the next round of “Getting to Know You,” please let me know and I will send along some advance questions.

Faculty Development is Behind Us, Too

Here’s a reminder of the many offerings FDEV has waiting for those interested in career development, pay range advancement, and more.

By the way: Have you seen the dossier-building video FDEV produced for us? Sooner or later, we all need to deliver on that obligation, and now we have an easy-to-view reference.

March 24th, Noon, Kendall 207-209, Range Elevation. CFA negotiated new eligibility for many lecturers. We’ll talk about what you need to know to advance through the lecturer salary schedule.

May 12th, Noon and 4pm, Kendall 207-209, Filing for Unemployment. Most Lecturers are eligible for unemployment during the breaks, but most don’t file. Please come find out if you’re throwing away up to $450 per week during breaks.

Three Items of Possible Interest That Showed Up on the Radar

Finally, the following quote showed up in a compilation of quotes about teaching. Thought-provoking, to say the least.

If members of another profession—say surgeons—were like college teachers, they would perform in isolation without apprenticeships, learning to cut and sew by trial and error. They would know anatomy but be ignorant of biology. They would hold colloquia discussing incision tips and suture innovations. To demonstrate the quality of their work, they would ask surviving patients to fill out bubble-sheet questionnaires with items like: ‘Does the surgeon demonstrate a commanding knowledge of his field? Is the surgeon well organized? Did she show respect for patients?’ No one would look at survival rates.”